Convince Me It is Worth It:)

[hrslvr142]

We are a "getting to be senior" couple but not yet retired who love to camp. We bought a brand new 31 foot camper this February that we really enjoy. Disney is very special to me and my dh (married a year) enjoyed it when we went three years ago. We are not wealthy but Disney is financially doable although DH finds the cost of tickets to be outrageous-something that I believe many here would agree. Christmastime at Disney tugs at my heart-so I thought in 2017 we would plan on camping there the first or second week of December but I look at the cost of the campsite, the cost of towing our camper down, etc, etc..coupled with the fact that dh gets limited PTO time and I am just not sure it is the best way to go. We could easily buy airline tickets, stay at our timeshare (not Disney) and enjoy the parks for longer since we don't have to travel from Indiana. I am of the "just about everything is magic at Disney" mindset with the cost of everything in the back of my mind.

From reading so many threads it is no secret that most of you reading this LOVE camping at Disney and come back often so what is the Magic there for you?

Thank you! Ignore my signature, we are not going this year...just haven't removed it.

 

[grumpyaggie]

We are also senior and are not retired. We try to camp a couple weekends a month.

• WDW camping sites are high - they are clean, pretty much private, flat and large.
• We have paid too much for a site at other camp grounds that is jammed next to the next RV, electric service that was spotty and with no pavement.
• The parks are expensive but so is Universal, Sea World and Ski weekends.
• We are annual passholders, by going for two weeks the cost of the park entrance is about $52.00. This year we will go twice, now the cost of the park is down to approx. $27.00.
• At WDW, you can bring food and drinks in with you.
• We do live in central Texas and the fuel bill is somewhere around $750.00, with two days on the road.
• If you fly in, the full effect of the Fort is missed.

You could have gone to College Station last weekend, dropped a couple thousand dollars and enjoyed the Texas A&M Band.
If you were pulling for the team in red and white, it was probably a more enjoyable day.

 

[KristinU]

Only you can decide if it is "worth it" for you. For us the big benefits of taking our camper down are:

1. Our own food (we're high maintenance eaters, low sodium and all of that)
2. Our own beds
3. More relaxed packing, no freaking out over forgetting to jam something in
4. Our dogs can travel with us
5. No long TSA lines and uncomfortable air travel
6. The trip down and back itself, so many things to see out the window and we have a fun time traveling

The big drawbacks are:
1. Time
2. Time
3. Time
4. Missing the MCO Monorail ride, that's always a fun signal that you're there!

 

[hrslvr142]

Thanks for your replies, agree Grumpy that all tickets are expensive...we camped at Holiday World here in Indiana this summer with one of our grands and it was not a cheap weekend by any means but their campsites are similar to what I have seen at Disney, they were $54 a night if I remember correctly and the tickets to get into Holiday World were not cheap either...but spending time with one of our grands-well that is priceless. May have to check into Annual Passes, may be a good option to saving money. I suspect that we will be "bit" as much as so many of you here on this forum and want to repeat our trip.

Kristin...the time factor is what I struggle with but one of the reasons we bought our own camper was to be able to see more of the US. We have both traveled to Florida several times by car so it wouldn't be a new view but probably a bit slower paced with the camper. Good news is if we want to stop and rest for a bit driving down we can use our own "home" at the rest stop and probably have our own food.

 

[ruthies12]

I've been to Disney 3 times flying and staying in a hotel and this next trip is our first one in our camper. We have a 36 foot class A that we camp in all the time. We live in Northern Kentucky 5 minutes away from a major airport that has 3 flights a day direct to Orlando. The last 3 trips it was actually cheaper for us to fly than it would have been to pay for gas for the camper. Now that our youngest is old enough to require a plane ticket though, four tickets to fly finally put the cost of flying higher than the cost of gas. And that is how I convinced my DH to drive down instead.

My main reason for choosing the campground over a hotel was, as others have said, having our own home with us. All the little things that I keep in the camper like fingernail clippers and can openers that you wouldn't think to pack in a suitcase. Having our own food and drinks and the big one- our own beds! Don't underestimate the importance of a good night's sleep so that you are able to enjoy those expensive park days!

And yes Disney's campsites are expesive but when you figure how it includes all your transportation to the parks it's not as bad. Last summer we stayed in a campground in Destin Florida and the sites were $110 a night. And that was back off the beach, if we had wanted beachfront it would have been $180 a night! Now THAT's crazy!

BTW I LOVE Lake Rudolph campground too! We go there every summer for a long weekend cause we are just 2 1/2 hours away from there. Such a fun place!!

 

[Flametamr]

For me the cost of camping at the Fort is fine. I don't mind paying $100 a night for all the relaxation and atmosphere. There is something I feel when I arrive there. A feeling of relief and joy mixed. We just love the Fort. I too am very unhappy with ticket costs. I just retired and was planning on getting APs this trip but Disney decided to raise the price over $100 each. The AP will now cost $800 each multiplied by 4 or 5. I just can't see paying that for only two visits. I don't understand Disney's business plan. They are actually discouraging multiple visits.

 

[nabi]

• If you fly in, the full effect of the Fort is missed.

I agree with all points of your post except the one quoted. We fly in, with a tent, use DME, and ADORE the experience of the Fort. Sure, a bed at the hotels is more comfortable, but the sites/sounds/smells and commaradery of the Fort can't be beat!

 

[KristinU]

Oh, yeah, the whole Fort atmosphere itself is great, especially during busy times (which it seems like they all are now). Coming back to the fort after braving the crowds is a breath of fresh air and a relaxation that you just don't get when returning to your room or even villa at a regular resort hotel. Having a DVC villa is close, with a separate sitting area and balcony etc., but still not the same as the open space to just kick back and chill. Plus, everyone is friendly. Just a different feel for sure....hard to describe - I feel more peace and solitude yet less isolated than at a hotel.

 

[Teamubr]

First, I live outside St Louis, so our drive is probably similar. It is 1004 miles from drive way to Fort entrance. I have the luxury of a lot of vacation time, but my DW doesn't. We usually take off Friday before our week at the Fort. Drive most of the way on Friday and arrive mid-day on Saturday. Return on Sunday a week later and drive straight through. 17 hours or so with BR/meal stops. (I can carry 100 gallons of fuel and can make the 1000 miles with 1 fuel stop) I have made the solo drive back in 15 hrs and 20 minutes, but that is hauling and 1 stop.

I go through these same decisions every time I try to plan a WDW trip. I have a spreadsheet I built a number of years ago that I plug in the price of gas and diesel per gallon, the cost of air fare and lodging staying at the Fort, a Value and a Moderate. Then I compare towing the camper, driving our car or flying in. The overall cheapest, just looking at lodging and travel, is usually a close tie between the Fort and driving the car and staying in a Value. There are only 3 of us, but air fare in the summer is over $1000 for us. The deciding factor is food. If we stay at the Fort, we usually eat most breakfasts at the camper, 1 or 2 lunches and maybe half of dinners. I can't stay at a Disney hotel and come close on meals.

If I already had a time share available, even factoring in the exchange fee, that has to be the cheapest way to go. Drive down, stay (and eat) at the condo.

The downside is losing all that staying on property brings. I've stayed off site twice. Once, our first trip and the second time when I came in early for a conference. It isn't the same experience and I would never consider staying off site again, even for a conference.

Staying at the Fort is a whole additional experience. If you haven't stayed at the Fort, it is a campground like no other. Even "resort" campgrounds can't compare.

So how much is "atmosphere" and proximity worth? Only you can decide that. What I tell people contemplating a trip is: if money is tight, but you really want to see WDW, stay off site and maximize your time in the parks. The next cheapest way to enjoy more of the Disney magic is to camp at the Fort.

j

 

[lokin4deer]

I agree with the above comments, the one thing I will add is that you the convenience to the MK especially if you are close enough to walk to the marina (100,200,300 or 400) loops. We always drive to WDW and to all the parks, I cant stand the buses, so to be able to walk to the boat and not have to break a stroller down and then get dropped off in front of the MK is great for us. I always compare it to the deluxe hotels around the lake with monorail service, the campground doesn't have the monorail it has a boat! Oh and BTW we will be at the Fort in March of next year.

 

[hrslvr142]

I knew you would all give me good advice. When we bought our camper, the financial guy said-best campground in the United States is at Disney-before he knew I loved Disney. Fortunately there is no exchange fee for our timeshare...so that is free but would be offsite but the Fountains in Orlando is one of the nicest timeshares I have ever stayed at...but yes it is offsite. I still want to stay at the Fort so we will see...such nice people I am sure as represented on this forum.

Thanks!

 

[Teamubr]

Fortunately there is no exchange fee for our timeshare...the Fountains in Orlando is one of the nicest.

Can I stay in your condo? I've been by the Fountains. The complex looks really nice. My parents used to own several condos in St Pete Beach. They always traded time, but also didn't have an exchange fee when they stayed in their own places. They offered a couple to me about 10 years ago. I didn't take them up and the sold most of them right before the market crashed. Pure luck.

I think you should definitely camp at the Fort at least once. Maybe not at Christmas time when things are pricey and crowded. Early Spring before Easter and Spring breaks or Fall are some of the best times at the Fort.

j

 

[PaHunter]

DW and myself spent a week last year at the Fort with our Nephew. The Fort is awesome, we left Northeastern PA it was -2 and drove to Florida where it was 80. Gas was less then flights would have been, and eating breakfast, taking in lunches and some dinners in our TT made it affordable. We are trying to squeeze in a week this year just the two of us. We have a new tow vehicle and will do better on fuel, even with diesel being a bit more as we will get better mpg.
Have stayed at the hotels in disney and well the Fort wins, hands down.

 

[bama_ed]

I agree with teamubr. Even though it will be most costly than the condo, stay at the Fort at least once. Then at least you can make informed decisions in the future about whether to pull the trailer to the Fort again or use the condo. That way you'll never have to say, "what if?".

Bama Ed

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Only you can decide if it is "worth it" for you. For us the big benefits of taking our camper down are:

1. Our own food (we're high maintenance eaters, low sodium and all of that)
2. Our own beds
3. More relaxed packing, no freaking out over forgetting to jam something in
4. Our dogs can travel with us
5. No long TSA lines and uncomfortable air travel
6. The trip down and back itself, so many things to see out the window and we have a fun time traveling

1) And, if the timing works out, you might meet TheRustyScupper, in person.
2) And if I bring homemade cookies, a definite advantage to The Fort ??????

 

[snocrossmechanic]

My family goes through the same thing every time we book. My spreadsheet does not lie that it is much cheaper not to camp. However, the spreadsheet has no idea how it feels to open my camper door at the Fort and be at peace. It is such a wonderful place to be. One of the very few I can actually relax while there.

We actually love the Fort so much that I take a three day drive, with camper, to get there from Minnesota and the rest of my family of 5 fly down. We have limited time because the kids are in school. It works for us and we try to limit ourselves to every other year to keep the cost down.

Enjoy the Fort.

 

[jenthern]

My family goes through the same thing every time we book. My spreadsheet does not lie that it is much cheaper not to camp. However, the spreadsheet has no idea how it feels to open my camper door at the Fort and be at peace. It is such a wonderful place to be. One of the very few I can actually relax while there.

We actually love the Fort so much that I take a three day drive, with camper, to get there from Minnesota and the rest of my family of 5 fly down. We have limited time because the kids are in school. It works for us and we try to limit ourselves to every other year to keep the cost down.

Enjoy the Fort.

This is why we're staying at the fort for the third time in as many years. I'm an early riser and I love sitting outside on a nice morning listening to the sounds of the world waking up around me.

 

[North of Mouse]

We are a "getting to be senior" couple but not yet retired who love to camp. We bought a brand new 31 foot camper this February that we really enjoy. Disney is very special to me and my dh (married a year) enjoyed it when we went three years ago. We are not wealthy but Disney is financially doable although DH finds the cost of tickets to be outrageous-something that I believe many here would agree. Christmastime at Disney tugs at my heart-so I thought in 2017 we would plan on camping there the first or second week of December but I look at the cost of the campsite, the cost of towing our camper down, etc, etc..coupled with the fact that dh gets limited PTO time and I am just not sure it is the best way to go. We could easily buy airline tickets, stay at our timeshare (not Disney) and enjoy the parks for longer since we don't have to travel from Indiana. I am of the "just about everything is magic at Disney" mindset with the cost of everything in the back of my mind.

From reading so many threads it is no secret that most of you reading this LOVE camping at Disney and come back often so what is the Magic there for you?

Thank you! Ignore my signature, we are not going this year...just haven't removed it.

We are 'number crunchers' in most everything in daily life 'except' camping! We have been campers in some form or other for all our married lives - 48+ and in all our modes of camping (no tenting for us) there is no way to make the numbers work in our favor, so we don't try!! (But, that goes for just 'owning' one, no matter 'where' you camp!)

We've always been fortunate to have several weeks vacation time, so going away all those weeks in our early years did make the numbers better, but the up keep on RV's is not 'cheap' by no means, plus insurance, taxes, etc.

But, as others have said, there is 'no price' on having your own special place wherever you go - your own bed, bathroom, etc. - these two things get more important to us as we get older, plus the Fort is so special to us as we started camping there the year after they opened! Yes, we are getting aged!! LOL
(But, still young at heart!!)

Anyhow, with all this rambling - yes, it is worth towing your trailer all those miles!
Our daughter has two weeks of Board Walk DVC, and we have stayed there, but we probably won't do it again as we prefer our MH at the Fort.

 

[amylevan]

We love, love camping at FW; however, for us, we will no longer make the trip for less than a 2 week vacation. It's 1,008 miles door to door for us, and factoring in some mishaps on I-95 (a flat tire on the 5er and an exploded battery in the truck) and kids in school, our next trip will be flying down. It was a sad day when I booked the flights, but we are staying at WL so that we can still walk over and enjoy a little atmosphere.

 

[Eyeeore]

We are a "getting to be senior" couple but not yet retired who love to camp. We bought a brand new 31 foot camper this February that we really enjoy. Disney is very special to me and my dh (married a year) enjoyed it when we went three years ago. We are not wealthy but Disney is financially doable although DH finds the cost of tickets to be outrageous-something that I believe many here would agree. Christmastime at Disney tugs at my heart-so I thought in 2017 we would plan on camping there the first or second week of December but I look at the cost of the campsite, the cost of towing our camper down, etc, etc..coupled with the fact that dh gets limited PTO time and I am just not sure it is the best way to go. We could easily buy airline tickets, stay at our timeshare (not Disney) and enjoy the parks for longer since we don't have to travel from Indiana. I am of the "just about everything is magic at Disney" mindset with the cost of everything in the back of my mind.

From reading so many threads it is no secret that most of you reading this LOVE camping at Disney and come back often so what is the Magic there for you?

Thank you! Ignore my signature, we are not going this year...just haven't removed it.

We're in Indiana as well and headed to the Fort in January 2016. The last time we camped at the Fort was in 1985 so this will be like camping there again for the first time. We're DVC members and are usually staying in Boardwalk, Animal Kingdom, or one of the other DVC locations there on property. We also have a non-DVC timeshare that we could use but it's so much easier being on property to get around.

We're pulling our 5th wheel down for an extended stay and are looking forward to being there. I read through the comments above and have to agree that coming in by air may be quicker, but easier may be a point of discussion. We've driven down the last 2 years in January and other than fuel cost, it's just time in the seat. We do eat breakfast most days in our condo and will be doing the same in the camper but we will have to go to the Kona Grill at least once for breakfast. Having the RV this year will let us have our own bed, etc. so once you get started, it may be a habit. We've already made our 2017 reservations for the Fort so this looks to be an annual thing for us.

Ticket prices are always an issue. Being DVC members, we do get a small break, and the fact that we're not at the blackout dates help. It's still a bit pricey but we'll be doing annual passes as long as we pull or stay DVC on property.

One thing we've debated is bringing our bicycles down but given Indiana weather and points between, we really didn't want them out in the possible ice & snow. We have decided to rent a golf cart this year just to see if it's really worth it but that may be dropped in the future.

Time for us in not a problem now as we're both retired. The costs are going to be there regardless of how we get down so hopefully, we won't burn too much fuel. Our bigger issue may be when we leave the Fort for Hilton Head. Our timeshare there won't let us park a RV so we have to store it.

Anyplace you get to pull your camper will be good. Indiana has some great campgrounds. I read the post earlier about Holiday World with some interest as we've not been there but have been just down the road in the state park (also very nice).